Current Time in Israel
Israeli culture regarding time
Israeli culture regarding time
Basically punctual
In Israel, punctuality is important in business and official situations, and meetings and appointments usually start on time. People are especially conscious of time in urban areas, and being late is likely to cause a loss of trust.
Some flexibility in daily life
On the other hand, there is a culture in which a certain degree of delay is tolerated at home or in casual gatherings, and "5 to 15 minutes late" is commonly seen. The sense of time is different depending on the situation.
Religious schedules affect life
The Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) lasts from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, and during this period, commercial facilities are closed and some public transportation is stopped, so the sense of time is very different from normal.
Israeli values regarding time
A culture that values efficiency and results
Israeli society tends to value efficiency and results, as seen in the success of startups and the technology sector, and this value is reflected in how time is used. Wasteful time is avoided and practicality is valued.
Flexibility and responsiveness are also respected
On the other hand, flexibility to respond immediately to unexpected situations is also highly valued. It is also a society that requires judgment according to the situation rather than a strict schedule.
Unique weekly structure
In Israel, Sunday is the first day of the week, Friday is the day to prepare for the weekend, and Saturday is a day off, and the rhythm is different from other countries, which also affects the sense of time.
Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or moving to Israel
It is necessary to understand the influence of Shabbat
Many stores and public transportation are closed during Shabbat, and even urban areas are quiet, so travel, movement, and shopping plans must be made well in advance. Time management is important from Friday afternoon onwards.
Pay attention to the business hours of commercial facilities
Business hours on weekdays are relatively stable, but many stores close early on Fridays, so many people make weekend plans by Thursday.
Public institutions and services often operate on time
Buses, trains, government offices, etc. generally operate and run on time, and you can expect accuracy especially in urban areas. It is important to act on the scheduled time for reservations and procedures.
Interesting trivia about time in Israel
"Israel Standard Time (IST)" is UTC+2
Israel normally uses UTC+2, but daylight saving time (UTC+3) is implemented in the summer. The start and end times are based on the Jewish calendar and vary from year to year.
"Shabbat Elevators" during Shabbat
During Shabbat, in accordance with the religious custom of not using electricity, some buildings have installed "Shabbat elevators" that automatically stop at each floor, creating a special feeling of time passing.
They are strict about time, but they also love to chat a lot
While Israelis are punctual, they also love to talk, and can go off on tangents even during meetings, so they are characterized by a "human touch" in their time management.